Stabilization of chymosin by polymers

ABSTRACT

A liquid or dried granulated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition and process for isolating a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/902,946, filed Jan. 5, 2016, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application PCT/EP2014/064913, filed Jul. 11, 2014, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 13177064.6, filed Jul. 18, 2013.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Apr. 10, 2018, is named 030427-0217_SL.txt and is 26,154 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid or dried granulated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition and a process for isolating milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest.

BACKGROUND ART

Enzymatic coagulation of milk by milk-clotting enzymes, such as chymosin and pepsin, is one of the most important processes in the manufacture of cheeses. Enzymatic milk coagulation is a two-phase process: a first phase where a proteolytic enzyme, chymosin or pepsin, attacks K-casein, resulting in a metastable state of the casein micelle structure and a second phase, where the milk subsequently coagulates and forms a coagulum.

Chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1), the milk clotting enzymes of the mammalian stomach, are aspartic proteases belonging to a broad class of peptidases.

Commercial relevant milk-clotting enzyme products are often liquid compositions and in the art is described numerous different ways to try to stabilize the milk-clotting enzyme in the product—e.g. to improve storage stability of the enzyme.

For instance, EP2333056A1 (DSM, date of fling Dec. 4, 2007) describes that formate, acetate, lactate, propionate, malate, fumarate or propanediol may increase stability of aspartic protease enzyme in a liquid composition/product.

WO2012/127005 A1 (DSM) describes a stable liquid chymosin composition comprising inorganic salt in a concentration of 2-100 g/kg and a preservative such as formate, acetate, lactate, propionate, malate, benzoate, sorbate or fumarate, glycol (ethanediol), propylene glycol (propanediol), glycerol, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, inositol or galactitol.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer of ethylene oxide—it may alternatively be termed polyoxyethylene (POE). PEG is commercially available over a wide range of molecular weights such as from 300 g/mol to 10,000,000 g/mol.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,943 (Genencor, published Aug. 18, 1992) describes use of PEG for recovery of microbially produced chymosin via a so-called liquid-liquid two phase system, where PEG and inorganic salt are added to the fermentation media/beer so as to form a liquid-liquid (aqueous) two phase system and then recover/isolate the chymosin from the PEG phase. In the working examples it is described that there were used around 4-5% wt/vol PEG8000 and around 10% wt/vol sodium sulfate salt in order to be able to obtain the liquid-liquid (aqueous) two phase system.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,705B2 (Fujifilm, published Aug. 16, 2011) describes use of PEG to increase the dynamic binding capacity of high salt solution (e.g. cell culture broth) on a ion exchange chromatography resin and thereby be able to purify a protein of interest. As examples of proteins of interest are mentioned bovine globulin, bovine serum albumin and lysozyme—a milk-clotting enzyme (such as e.g. chymosin) is not explicitly mentioned. In working examples (see e.g. Example 1) is described that best protein recovery were obtained by using around 6% w/v of PEG (preferably PEG4600)—for instance using only 0.5% PEG gave virtually no positive effect on protein recovery/isolation.

As known in the art—the term PEGylation relates to the act of covalently coupling a polyethylene glycol (PEG) structure to another larger molecule, for example, a therapeutic protein (which is then referred to as PEGylated). PEGylation, by increasing the molecular weight of a molecule, may impart several significant pharmacological advantages over the unmodified form, such as: improved drug solubility, reduced dosage frequency.

US2011/0008846A1 (Qiagen) describes PEGylation of industrially used enzymes and Rennin (Chymosin) is mentioned as an example of a suitable industrially used enzyme within a long list of mentioned suitable industrially used enzymes. The working example only relates to PEGylation of a Polymerase—i.e. there is no working example relating to PEGylation of Rennin (Chymosin).

It may here be relevant to note that none of above cited prior art references describe that PEG may increase the stability of aspartic protease milk-clotting enzymes such as e.g. chymosins.

DE1492060A1 (Nordmark-Werke GmbH, published in 1969) discloses a method for making a pepsin composition by adding PEG with a molecular weight of 400-6000 at a concentration of 1-20 wt % (corresponds to 10000 to 200000 ppm).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a new milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme (e.g. chymosin) composition, wherein the aspartic protease has increased stability and/or activity.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a novel method for isolating an aspartic protease (e.g. chymosin), wherein the method may give increased activity of the isolated aspartic protease composition.

The solution is based on that the present inventors have identified that by adding PEG or a similar substituted polyoxyethylene (e.g. Brij35) to chymosin one significantly improves the physical stability of the chymosin.

The structures of PEG and Brij35 are shown in FIG. 1 herein.

As discussed in working Examples herein—recombinantly produced bovine chymosin (CHY-MAX®, Chr. Hansen A/S) and camel chymosin (CHY-MAX® M, Chr. Hansen A/S) were purified by chromatography, where PEG8000 and Brij35 were added before elution from the column or PEG8000 and Brij35 were added to the elution buffer.

Samples containing PEG8000 or Brij35 had 1.5 to two-fold increased specific activity over control sample purified without addition of PEG/Brij35 (see discussion in working Example 2 herein and FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B herein).

The effect of the significant increased specific activity of the chymosin enzymes was surprising to the present inventors, among other reasons, because it could be seen immediately after isolation of protein.

This immediate observed increased specific activity cannot be explained by that PEG/Brij35 only e.g. increase longer term storage stability of the enzymes by decreasing possible longer term storage precipitation problems, since there is no significant precipitation of the enzymes immediately after isolation of protein according to the purification protocol/method used in the working Examples herein—i.e. also in the control experiment without addition of addition of PEG/Brij35 there is no significant precipitation of the enzymes immediately after isolation of protein.

Without being limited to theory—it is believed that PEG/Brij35 provide increased conformational stability to the chymosins and this could explain the immediately observed increased specific activity observed in working Examples herein.

Without being limited to theory—it is believed that in the prior art it has not been described or suggested that PEG or structurally similar polymers may increase the stability of aspartic protease milk-clotting enzymes such as e.g. chymosins—in particular it has not been described that conformational stability may be increased.

Conformational stability of an enzyme is illustrated in FIG. 3 herein.

As known in the art—loss of conformation equals loss of activity of the enzyme.

In working Examples herein—it was also demonstrated that addition of PEG increased the longer term storage stability of a liquid and/or granulated chymosin composition.

Without being limited to theory—it may be that for aspartic protease milk-clotting enzymes (such as e.g. chymosins) loss of structural conformation could result in increased precipitation of the enzymes during e.g. longer term storage in e.g. a liquid formulation.

Accordingly—it may be that PEG helps to decrease precipitation of the milk-clotting enzymes during the storage e.g. due to that it provides conformational stability to the enzymes.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer of ethylene oxide and may alternatively be termed polyoxyethylene (POE)—a structure-based IUPAC name for PEG is poly(oxyethylene).

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—Brij35 may be termed a substituted polyoxyethylene, where the substituent may be seen as the “C12” structure as shown in FIG. 1 herein.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—polymers such as e.g. Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinyl acetate, Polyacrylonitrile, Polyacrylate or Polymethacrylate may be considered structurally and functionally related to PEG/Brij35.

As known in the art—polymers may be a heteropolymer or copolymer, which is a polymer derived from two (or more) monomeric species, as opposed to a homopolymer where only one monomer is used.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—a copolymer which is derived from following two (or more) of monomeric species ethylene oxide, vinylpolypyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, acrylate or methacrylate may in the present context be considered structurally and functionally related.

Without being limited to theory—it is believed that there is no significant technical reason to believe that such polymers structurally and functionally related to PEG/Brij35 would not give herein relevant improvements of milk-clotting aspartic protease stability.

In relevant working Examples herein were used PEG8000 and Brij35, which respectively have a mean molecular mass of 8000 g/mol and 1225 g/mol.

In the present context it is believed that a herein relevant polymer with a molecular mass (alternatively termed molecular weight (MW)) from 200 g/mol to 50.000 g/mol would be suitable.

In the present context it is believed that a herein relevant polymer with a repeating monomer/element number (so-called “n” number) from n=5 to n=1250 would be suitable.

As an example can be seen in FIG. 1 that Brij35 has n=23.

As known in the art—PEG with n=1250 has a MW of around 50.000 g/mol and PEG8000 has a MW of around 8.000 g/mol and n=200.

In FIG. 6 is shown an example of another herein relevant polymer polysorbate 20, which comprises a sum of 20 ethylene oxide monomers.

In working Example 4 herein is demonstrated that addition of polysorbate 20 increased the stability the tested liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme compositions.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—polysorbate 20 is a polymer with a repeating monomer/element number (so-called “n” number) of 20 in relation to characteristic (c) of the first aspect herein.

For instance, using the nomenclature of FIG. 6—polysorbate 20 may e.g. have w, x, y and z=5—i.e. 4 groups of monomers each having n=5.

Accordingly, as the skilled person would understand in the present context—such a polysorbate 20 polymer will in the present context be a polymer with n=5×4=20 in relation to characteristic (c) of the first aspect herein.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—what is relevant in the present context is the number of herein relevant monomers (e.g. ethylene oxide) present in the polymer as such.

For instance, the total number of herein relevant monomers (e.g. ethylene oxide) present in the polymer as such is important for e.g. the herein relevant molecular mass of the polymer.

Accordingly, as understood by the skilled person in the present context—the term “repeating monomer” in in relation to characteristic (c) of the first aspect herein relates to the total number of herein relevant monomers (e.g. ethylene oxide) present in the polymer as such.

As known in the art—milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes may be seen as structurally relatively similar.

As known in the art—different natural wildtype milk clotting aspartic protease polypeptide sequences obtained from different mammalian or fungal species (such as e.g. bovines, camels, sheep, pigs, or mucor) are having a relatively high tertiary structural similarity.

In FIG. 4 herein there is provided an alignment of herein relevant different milk clotting chymosin sequences from different mammalian species (cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, camel and pig)—as can be seen in FIG. 4 they have a close sequence relationship and are known to have a very high tertiary structural similarity.

In FIG. 5 herein there is provided an alignment of herein relevant commercially available different milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes sequences from different mammalian or fungal species (camel chymosin, cow chymosin, cow pepsin, fungal mucor pepsin and fungal Endothia pepsin).

It may be said that the 5 different sequences of FIG. 5 are not highly identical—but as known to the skilled person all these 5 different milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes are known to have a high tertiary structural similarity.

As discussed above and shown in working Examples herein—the herein relevant improved/increased stability have been demonstrated for bovine chymosin and camel chymosin.

Without being limited to theory—it is believed that there is no significant technical reason to believe that the herein relevant improved/increased stability effect should not be relevant for milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes in general—as discussed above, they are known to have a high tertiary structural similarity and as understood by the skilled person in the present context this tertiary structural similarity makes it plausible that the herein described polymer-enzyme interaction to get improved stability would be a general class effect of the structural similar herein relevant milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention relates to a liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition comprising:

-   -   (i): milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of         from 25 IMCU/g of the composition to 30000 IMCU/g of the         composition;     -   (ii): polymer in a concentration from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm (w/w),         and     -   (iii) a salt in a concentration from 1 to 350 g/kg;         and wherein the pH of the composition is from 2 to 8;         and wherein the polymer is a polymer having following         characteristics (a), (b) and (c):     -   (a): the polymer is a polymer of at least one monomer selected         from the group of monomers consisting of: ethylene oxide,         vinylpolypyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate,         acrylonitrile, acrylate and methacrylate; and     -   (b): the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 200         g/mol to 50.000 g/mol; and     -   (c): the polymer is a polymer with a repeating monomer/element         number (so-called “n” number) from n=5 to n=1250; and     -   (D): optionally the polymer having the characteristics (a), (b)         and (c) above may be a substituted polymer comprising one or         more substituent compound(s) different from the monomers of         characteristic (a) and if the polymer is a substituted polymer         the molecular mass of the substituted polymer as such is within         the range of characteristic (b) and the molecular mass of the         substituent compound(s) is less than the molecular mass of the         polymer part of the substituted polymer.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—the term “IMCU/g of the composition” in item (i) of the first and/or aspect relates to IMCU enzyme activity per gram of the composition as such.

The same goes for the term “g/kg” in relation to item (iii) of the first aspect—i.e. it relates to gram salt per kg of the composition as such.

It may be preferred that the liquid composition of the first aspect has a total weight of from 10 g to 10000 kg.

As known to the skilled person in the present context—a herein relevant liquid composition of the first aspect that has a weight of 1 kg will approximately have a volume of 1 liter.

As discussed above—Brij35 may be termed a substituted polyoxyethylene, where the substituent may be seen as the “C12” structure as shown in FIG. 1 herein and Brij35, has a mean molecular mass of around 1225 g/mol.

Accordingly, Brij35 may be seen as an example of a substituted polymer of optional characteristic (D) of the first aspect, wherein the substituent compound is the “C12” structure as shown in FIG. 1 herein and molecular mass of the substituted polymer as such is 1225 g/mol and the molecular mass of the substituent compound (“C12” structure) is significantly less than the molecular mass of the polymer part (polymer of ethylene oxide with n=23).

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—it is the polymer part having characteristics (a), (b) and (c) which are considered of most importance and possible substituent compound(s) of optionally characteristic (D) may be seen as of less importance.

As discussed above—in FIG. 6 is shown an example of another herein relevant polymer polysorbate 20, which comprises a sum of 20 ethylene oxide monomers.

Like Brij35 is polysorbate 20 (alternatively termed Tween20) understood to be a substituted polymer in the present context. In polysorbate 20 are the substituent compounds/groups the sorbitan and laurate groups and the molecular mass of the substituent compounds/groups are significantly less than the molecular mass of the polymer part (i.e. the 20 ethylene oxide monomers).

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—the generic term “polymer” covers the more specific term “substituted polymer” in the sense that a polymer may be substituted or un-substituted.

As discussed above—in U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,943 was used around 4-5% w/vol PEG8000 in order to be able to obtain the liquid-liquid (aqueous) two phase system and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,705B2 was used around 6% w/v of PEG in order to get a significant increased dynamic binding capacity on an ion exchange chromatography resin.

In the composition of the first aspect is only used from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm w/w (i.e. from 0.0001% to 1.0% w/w) of the herein described polymer (e.g. PEG)—i.e. an amount which is significantly less than required in above discussed prior art references.

Accordingly and without being limited to theory—one may say that one needs to use significantly less amounts of the herein relevant polymers (e.g. PEG) in order to obtain the herein described increased conformational stability effect to the milk clotting enzyme as compared to the amounts used in above described prior art.

Herein relevant polymers (e.g. PEG) may be described as processing aids.

The first aspect herein relates to a liquid composition—however, milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes (e.g. chymosin) may also be commercialized as dried granulated composition/product.

Accordingly, a second aspect of the invention relates to a dried granulated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition comprising:

-   -   (i): milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of         from 25 IMCU/g of the composition to 30000 IMCU/g of the         composition;     -   (ii): polymer in a concentration from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm (w/w),         and     -   (iii) a salt;         and wherein the pH of the composition suspended in water is from         2 to 8;         and wherein the polymer is a polymer having the characteristics         (a), (b) and (c) and optionally (D) of first aspect.

As discussed above—PEGylation relates to the act of covalently coupling a polyethylene glycol (PEG) structure to another larger molecule, for example, a therapeutic protein (which is then referred to as PEGylated).

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—the essence of the present invention does not as such relate to PEGylation.

Accordingly and as understood by the skilled person in the present context—liquid and/or dried milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition as described herein is preferably not a composition, wherein the polymer is covalently coupled to the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme.

As discussed herein—an advantage of milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition as described herein is that it is more storage stable.

Accordingly, a third aspect of the invention relates to a method for storage of a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme, wherein the method comprises following steps:

(a): providing a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of first or second aspect or any herein relevant embodiments thereof; and

(b): storage of the composition at a period from 90 days to 2000 days at a temperature from −10° C. to 50° C.

A milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition as described herein may be used according to the art—e.g. to make a food or feed product of interest (such as e.g. a milk based product of interest that e.g. could be a cheese product).

Accordingly, a fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a food or feed product comprising adding an effective amount of a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of any of first or second aspect or any herein relevant embodiments thereof to the food or feed ingredient(s) and carrying out further manufacturing steps to obtain the food or feed product.

As discussed above—by use of a herein relevant polymer as described herein it is possible to isolate/purify milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme sample with increased specific activity.

Accordingly, a fifth aspect of the invention relates to a process for isolating a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest from an aqueous medium comprising such an enzyme of interest, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   (i): obtaining an aqueous sample consisting of a number of         components including the aspartic protease;     -   (ii): adding polymer in a concentration from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm         to the aqueous sample of step (i) to get a polymer containing         sample; and     -   (iii): isolating the aspartic protease from the polymer         containing sample of step (ii) and thereby obtaining the         isolated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest;         wherein the polymer is a polymer having the characteristics         (a), (b) and (c) and optionally (D) of first aspect.

As discussed above—in U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,943 was used around 4-5% w/vol PEG8000 in order to be able to obtain the liquid-liquid (aqueous) two phase system and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,705B2 was used around 6% w/v of PEG in order to get a significant increased dynamic binding capacity on an ion exchange chromatography resin.

In the process of the fifth aspect is only used from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm w/w (i.e. from 0.0001% to 1.0%) of the herein described polymer (e.g. PEG)—i.e. an amount which is significant less than required in above discussed prior art references.

Definitions

All definitions of herein relevant terms are in accordance of what would be understood by the skilled person in relation to the herein relevant technical context.

The term “milk-clotting enzyme” refers to an enzyme with milk-clotting enzymatic activity—i.e. an active milk-clotting enzyme. The milk-clotting activity (C) may be expressed in International Milk-Clotting Units (IMCU) per ml or IMCU per g. The skilled person knows how to determine herein relevant milk-clotting enzymatic activity. In working Example 1 herein is provided an example of a standard method to determine milk-clotting enzymatic activity and specific milk-clotting enzymatic activity. As known in the art—specific clotting activity (IMCU/mg total protein) is determined by dividing the clotting activity (IMCU/ml) by the total protein content (mg total protein per ml).

The term “ppm” refers to parts-per-million. As known in the art—the unit “ppm” can be used for a mass fraction and the term ppm is herein used in relation to mass fraction (w/w). For instance, a herein relevant polymer in e.g. a concentration of 500 ppm (w/w) in relation to e.g. a herein relevant milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition relates to that the polymer is present at 500 times 1-millionth of a gram per gram of sample composition, which corresponds to 0.05% w/w. Said in other words—1 ppm (w/w) corresponds to 0.0001% (w/w) and 10000 ppm (w/w) corresponds to 1% (w/w).

The term “Sequence Identity” relates to the relatedness between two amino acid sequences.

For purposes of the present invention, the degree of sequence identity between two amino acid sequences is determined according to the art and preferably determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453) as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS package (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, Trends Genet. 16: 276-277), preferably version 3.0.0 or later. The optional parameters used are gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EBLOSUM62 (EMBOSS version of BLOSUM62) substitution matrix. The output of Needle labeled “longest identity” (obtained using the -nobrief option) is used as the percent identity and is calculated as follows: (Identical Residues×100)/(Length of Alignment−Total Number of Gaps in Alignment).

The term “variant” means a peptide having milk-clotting enzymatic activity comprising an alteration, i.e., a substitution, insertion, and/or deletion, at one or more (several) positions. A substitution means a replacement of an amino acid occupying a position with a different amino acid; a deletion means removal of an amino acid occupying a position; and an insertion means adding 1-3 amino acids adjacent to an amino acid occupying a position.

The amino acid may be natural or unnatural amino acids—for instance, substitution with e.g. a particularly D-isomers (or D-forms) of e.g. D-alanine could theoretically be possible.

Embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of examples only.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Structures of PEG and Brij35

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B: Show the results of addition of 0.1% PEG8000 or Brij35 to the elution buffer as compared to control experiments without addition of PEG8000 or Brij35. See e.g. working Example 2 herein for further details. In FIG. 2A is shown data for camel chymosin and in FIG. 2B is shown data for bovine chymosin.

FIG. 3: Conformational stability of an enzyme is illustrated.

FIG. 4: An alignment of herein relevant different milk clotting chymosin sequences from different mammalian species (cow (SEQ ID NO: 1), buffalo (SEQ ID NO: 2), goat (SEQ ID NO: D, sheep (SEQ ID NO: 4), camel (SEQ ID NO: 5) and pig (SEQ ID NO: 6)). All the sequences of FIG. 4 are publicly available.

FIG. 5: An alignment of herein relevant commercially available different milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes sequences from different mammalian or fungal species (camel chymosin (SEQ ID NO: 5), cow chymosin (SEQ ID NO: 1), cow pepsin (SEQ ID NO: 7), fungal mucor pepsin (SEQ ID NO: 8) and fungal Endothia pepsin (SEQ ID NO: 9)). All the sequences of FIG. 5 are publicly available.

FIG. 6: Structure of another herein relevant polymer polysorbate 20, which comprises a sum of 20 ethylene oxide monomers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Milk Clotting Aspartic Protease Enzyme

The discussion of specific embodiments/examples of herein relevant milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes below is relevant for all the aspects of the invention as discussed herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is a milk-clotting enzyme selected from the group consisting of chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4), pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) and mucorpepsin (EC 3.4.23.23).

A preferred milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Camelius dromedarius chymosin as described in e.g. WO02/36752A2 (Chr. Hansen). It may herein alternatively be termed camel chymosin and the publically known mature polypeptide amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 5 herein.

As known in the art—it is routine work for the skilled person to make variants (i.e. amino acid modifications) of an enzyme of interest without significantly changing the characteristics of the enzyme.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Camelius dromedarius chymosin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Camel_chymosin”) or a variant of Camelius dromedarius chymosin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence identity with the camel chymosin polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

A preferred milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is bovine chymosin. It may herein alternatively be termed cow chymosin and the publically known mature polypeptide amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 5 herein.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is bovine chymosin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Cow_chymosin”) or a variant of bovine chymosin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence identity with the bovine chymosin polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

A preferred milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is bovine pepsin. It may herein alternatively be termed cow pepsin and the publically known mature polypeptide amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 5 herein.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is bovine pepsin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Cow_pepsin”) or a variant of bovine pepsin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence identity with the bovine pepsin polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

A preferred milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Mucor pepsin (see e.g. EP0805866B1 (Harboe et al, Chr. Hansen A/S, Denmark)). The publically known mature polypeptide amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 5 herein.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Mucor pepsin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Mucor”) or a variant of Mucor pepsin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence identity with the Mucor pepsin polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

A preferred milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Endothia pepsin. The publically known mature polypeptide amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 5 herein.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Mucor pepsin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Endothia”) or a variant of Endothia pepsin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence identity with the Endothia pepsin polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

Polymer

As discussed above—the polymer of the liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of the first aspect, the dried milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of the second aspect and/or the process for isolating a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest of the fifth aspect is a polymer having following characteristics (a), (b) and (c) or optionally (D):

-   -   (a): the polymer is a polymer of at least one monomer selected         from the group of monomers consisting of: ethylene oxide,         vinylpolypyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate,         acrylonitrile, acrylate and methacrylate; and     -   (b): the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 200         g/mol to 50.000 g/mol; and     -   (c): the polymer is a polymer with a repeating monomer/element         number (so-called “n” number) from n=5 to n=1250; and     -   (D): optionally the polymer having the characteristics (a), (b)         and (c) above may be a substituted polymer comprising one or         more substituent compound(s) different from the monomers of         characteristic (a) and if the polymer is a substituted polymer         the molecular mass of the substituted polymer as such is within         the range of characteristic (b) and the molecular mass of the         substituent compound(s) is less than the molecular mass of the         polymer part of the substituted polymer.

The discussion of specific embodiments/examples of herein relevant polymers below is relevant for all the aspects of the invention as discussed herein.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—a polymer of at least two or more monomers of characteristic (a) is what in the art may be termed a heteropolymer or copolymer which is a polymer derived from two (or more) monomeric species, as opposed to a homopolymer where only one monomer is used—i.e. a polymer of only monomer of characteristic (a) is what in the art may be termed a homopolymer.

In relation to characteristic (a) is may be preferred that the polymer is a polymer of two different monomers selected from the group of characteristic (a).

Preferably, the polymer is a homopolymer.

In relation to the optional characteristic (D)—it is preferred that the molecular mass of the substituent compound(s) is at least 2 times less than the molecular mass of the polymer part of the substituted polymer, more preferably that the molecular mass of the substituent compound(s) is at least 4 times less than the molecular mass of the polymer part of the substituted polymer.

A herein preferred substituted polymer is Brij35, which has the structure as shown in FIG. 1 herein.

The substituent compound may e.g. be a C₁-C₂₅ alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₂₅ substituted alkyl), C₁-C₂₅ alkenyl (e.g. C₁-C₂₅ substituted alkenyl)—wherein the alkyl and/or alkenyl may e.g. be linear, cyclic or branched.

As known in the art—polymers may e.g. also comprise e.g. Cl, Br and similar substituent compounds—i.e. e.g. Cl, Br may also be example of substituent compounds herein.

Preferably, the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 750 g/mol to 30.000 g/mol, such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 2000 g/mol to 20.000 g/mol or such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 5000 g/mol to 15.000 g/mol.

As understood by the skilled person in the present context—a preferred molecular mass may depend on the specific type of polymer or whether it is a substituted polymer (e.g. like Brij35) or not.

Preferably, the polymer is a polymer with a repeating monomer/element number (so-called “n” number) from n=20 to n=500, such as e.g. a polymer a polymer with a repeating monomer/element number (so-called “n” number) from n=100 to n=300.

Like for the molecular mass and as understood by the skilled person in the present context—a preferred “n” number may depend on the specific type of polymer or whether it is a substituted polymer (e.g. like Brij35) or not.

In the present context—it may be considered as routine work for the skilled person to identify an optimal molecular mass and/or “n” number for a particular herein relevant polymer of interest in order to obtain the herein described stability improvement in relation to e.g. a particular milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest (such as e.g. bovine or camel chymosin).

Preferably, the polymer is Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinyl acetate, Polyacrylonitrile, Polyacrylate, Polymethacrylate, polysorbate or Brij35.

When the polymer is Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinyl acetate, Polyacrylonitrile, Polyacrylate or Polymethacrylate—it is preferred that the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 1500 g/mol to 40000 g/mol, such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 2000 g/mol to 30000 g/mol or such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 5000 g/mol to 15000 g/mol.

Preferably the polymer is Polyethylene glycol (PEG), polysorbate 20 or Brij35.

In relation to PEG it may be preferred that the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 1500 g/mol to 40000 g/mol, such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 2000 g/mol to 30000 g/mol or more preferred polymer with a molecular mass from 5000 g/mol to 15000 g/mol.

First and/or Second Aspect—a Liquid and/or Dried Milk Clotting Aspartic Protease Enzyme Composition

As discussed above—the first aspect of the invention relates to a liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition comprising:

-   -   (i): milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of         from 25 IMCU/g of the composition to 30000 IMCU/g of the         composition;     -   (ii): polymer in a concentration from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm (w/w),         and     -   (iii) a salt in a concentration from 1 to 350 g/kg;         and wherein the pH of the composition is from 2 to 8;         and wherein the polymer is a polymer having following         characteristics (a), (b) and (c) and optionally (D): [as         described herein].

As discussed above—the second aspect of the invention relates to a dried granulated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition comprising:

-   -   (i): milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of         from 25 IMCU/g of the composition to 30000 IMCU/g of the         composition;     -   (ii): polymer in a concentration from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm (w/w),         and     -   (iii) a salt;         and wherein the pH of the composition suspended in water is from         2 to 8;         and wherein the polymer is a polymer having the characteristics         (a), (b) and (c) and optionally (D): [as described herein].

For both the liquid and the dried composition—preferred examples/embodiments of milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes are described above.

For both the liquid and the dried composition—preferred examples/embodiments of polymer are described above.

For both the liquid and the dried composition—it is preferred that the enzyme strength in item (i) is a strength of from 100 IMCU/g of the composition to 10000 IMCU/g of the composition, more preferably a strength of from 500 IMCU/g of the composition to 6000 IMCU/g of the composition.

For both the liquid and the dried composition—it is preferred that the polymer concentration in item (ii) is in a concentration from 1 ppm to 5000 ppm (w/w).

For both the liquid and the dried composition—it is preferred that the polymer concentration in item (ii) is in a concentration from 1 ppm to 3000 ppm (w/w).

For both the liquid and the dried composition—it is preferred that the polymer concentration in item (ii) is in a concentration from 10 ppm to 5000 ppm (w/w), more preferably is in a concentration from 50 ppm to 4000 ppm (w/w) and even more preferably is in a concentration from 100 ppm to 3000 ppm (w/w).

It may be relevant that the polymer concentration in item (ii) is in a concentration from 160 ppm to 5000 ppm (w/w), such as e.g. from 175 ppm to 4000 ppm (w/w).

It may be relevant that the polymer concentration in item (ii) is in a concentration from 5 ppm to 145 ppm (w/w), such as e.g. from 10 ppm to 130 ppm (w/w).

For the liquid composition—the salt in item (iii) is preferably in a concentration from 10 to 300 g/kg, more preferably is in a concentration from 25 to 250 g/kg.

As known to the skilled person—for the dried composition the salt concentration in item (iii) may be relatively high—such as e.g. from 50% (w/w) to 99.9% (w/w) or such as e.g. from 80% (w/w) to 99% (w/w).

For both the liquid and the dried composition—it is preferred that the salt is an inorganic salt—preferably wherein the inorganic salt is selected from the group of NaCl, KCl, Na₂S0₄, (NH₄)₂S0₄, K₂HP0₄, KH₂P0₄, Na₂HP0₄ or NaH₂P0₄ or a combination thereof. Most preferably, the salt is NaCl.

Both the liquid and the dried composition may comprise further additives/compounds such as e.g. a preservative.

As known to the skilled person—preservative may generally be added in a concentration sufficient to prevent microbial growth during shelf life of the product.

Examples of preservatives may be e.g. weak organic acids such as formate, acetate, lactate, propionate, malate, benzoate, sorbate or fumarate. Parabens (alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoate) may also be used as preservative. Glycerol or propanediol has also been described as preservatives.

Both the liquid and the dried composition—it is preferred that the pH is from 3 to 7, more preferably that the pH is from 4 to 6.5 and even more preferably that the pH is from 5 to 6.

Preferably, the liquid composition is an aqueous composition, for instance an aqueous solution. As used herein an aqueous composition or aqueous solution encompasses any composition or solution comprising water, for instance at least 20 wt % of water, for instance at least 40 wt % of water. Preferably, a composition according to the invention comprises at least 50, 60, 70 or 80 wt % of water. More preferably, the composition of the invention comprises at least 85, 90 or 95 wt % of water.

As discussed in working Example 2 herein and as can be seen in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B herein—by using of a polymer as described herein it was possible to obtain milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme compositions with significantly increased specific activity of the enzyme.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A herein—by using of a polymer as described herein it was possible to obtain camel enzyme compositions, wherein the specific activity of the enzymes were higher than 350 IMCU/mg total protein and in the comparative experiment (i.e. without addition of polymer) was the specific activity of the enzyme only around 200 IMCU/mg total protein.

As can be seen in FIG. 2B herein—by using of a polymer as described herein it was possible to obtain bovine enzyme compositions, wherein the specific activity of the enzymes were higher than 150 IMCU/mg total protein and in the comparative experiment (i.e. without addition of polymer) was the specific activity of the enzyme only around 125 IMCU/mg total protein.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment for both the liquid and the dried composition:

-   -   is the specific activity of the milk clotting aspartic protease         enzyme higher than 300 IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic         protease enzyme protein, more preferably is the specific         activity milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme higher than 350         IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme protein,         wherein the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Camelius         dromedarius chymosin comprising the polypeptide amino acid         sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Camel_chymosin”) or a         variant of Camelius dromedarius chymosin, wherein the variant         comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90%         (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence         identity with the camel chymosin polypeptide amino acid sequence         shown in FIG. 5 herein; or     -   is the specific activity of the milk clotting aspartic protease         enzyme higher than 150 IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic         protease enzyme protein, more preferably is the specific         activity milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme higher than 165         IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme protein,         wherein the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is bovine         chymosin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in         FIG. 5 herein (termed “Cow_chymosin”) or a variant of bovine         chymosin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence         which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably         at least 99%) sequence identity with the bovine chymosin         polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

It may be preferred that the liquid composition as described herein has a total weight of from 10 g to 10000 kg, such as e.g. from 100 g to 3000 kg.

It may be preferred that the dried granulated composition as described herein has a total weight of from 0.25 g to 200 kg, such as e.g. from 0.5 g to 50 kg.

It is preferred that the composition is a liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition as described herein.

Third Aspect—a Method for Storage

As discussed above—the third aspect of the invention relates to a method for storage of a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme, wherein the method comprises following steps:

(a): providing a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of first or second aspect or any herein relevant embodiments thereof; and

(b): storage of the composition at a period from 90 days to 2000 days at a temperature from −10° C. to 50° C.

Preferably, the storage temperature in step (b) is a temperature from 4° C. to 38° C.

It may be preferred that the storage period in step (b) is a period from 180 days to 500 days.

Fourth Aspect—a Method for a Method for Making a Food or Feed Product

As discussed above—a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition as described herein may be used according to the art—e.g. to make a milk based product of interest (such as e.g. a cheese product).

As discussed above—the fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for making a food or feed product comprising adding an effective amount of a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of any of first or second aspect or any herein relevant embodiments thereof to the food or feed ingredient(s) and carrying out further manufacturing steps to obtain the food or feed product.

Preferably, the food or feed product is a milk based product and wherein the method comprises adding an effective amount of the isolated chymosin polypeptide variant as described herein to milk and carrying our further manufacturing steps to obtain the milk based product.

The milk may e.g. be sheep milk, goat milk, buffalo milk, yak milk, lama milk, camel milk or cow milk.

The milk based product may e.g. be a fermented milk product, a quark or a cheese.

It may be preferred that the method for making a food or feed product of the fourth aspect or herein relevant embodiments thereof is a method, wherein a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition first have been stored according to the method for storage of a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of the third aspect and thereafter added to the food or feed ingredient(s) according to the method for making a food or feed product of the fourth aspect.

Fifth Aspect—a Process for Isolating a Milk Clotting Aspartic Protease Enzyme

As discussed above—the fifth aspect of the invention relates to a process for isolating a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest from an aqueous medium comprising such an enzyme of interest, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   (i): obtaining an aqueous sample consisting of a number of         components including the aspartic protease;     -   (ii): adding polymer in a concentration from 1 ppm to 10000 ppm         to the aqueous sample of step (i) to get a polymer containing         sample; and     -   (iii): isolating the aspartic protease from the polymer         containing sample of step (ii) and thereby obtaining the         isolated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of interest;         wherein the polymer is a polymer having the characteristics         (a), (b) and (c) and optionally (D) of first aspect.

For the process of the fifth aspect—preferred examples/embodiments of milk clotting aspartic protease enzymes are described above.

For the process of the fifth aspect—preferred examples/embodiments of polymer are described above.

It is preferred that the polymer is added in step (ii) in a polymer concentration from 10 ppm to 5000 ppm (w/w), more preferably is in a concentration from 100 ppm to 4000 ppm (w/w) and even more preferably is in a concentration from 300 ppm to 3000 ppm (w/w).

The term “isolating” in step (iii) should be understood as the skilled person would understand it in the present context—i.e. that the obtained isolated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme in step (iii) is more isolated (i.e. more pure) as compared to the aqueous sample consisting of a number of components including the aspartic protease of step (i).

As an example—the in step (iii) obtained isolated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme may have a purity of e.g. at least 60% w/w of total protein (i.e. 60% w/w of total protein in the isolated composition is the isolated clotting aspartic protease enzyme). It may also be even more purified—i.e. at least 90% w/w of total protein.

Preferably, the polymer is Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinyl acetate, Polyacrylonitrile, Polyacrylate, Polymethacrylate or Brij35.

When the polymer is Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinyl acetate, Polyacrylonitrile, Polyacrylate or Polymethacrylate—it is preferred that the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 1500 g/mol to 40000 g/mol, such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 2000 g/mol to 30000 g/mol or such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 5000 g/mol to 15000 g/mol.

Preferably the polymer is Polyethylene glycol (PEG) or Brij35.

In relation to PEG it may be preferred that the polymer is a polymer with a molecular mass from 1500 g/mol to 40000 g/mol, such as e.g. a polymer with a molecular mass from 2000 g/mol to 30000 g/mol or more preferred polymer with a molecular mass from 5000 g/mol to 15000 g/mol.

In a preferred embodiment—the in step (iii) isolated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is an enzyme which:

-   -   has a specific activity of the milk clotting aspartic protease         enzyme higher than 300 IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic         protease enzyme protein, more preferably is the specific         activity milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme higher than 350         IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme protein,         wherein the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is Camelius         dromedarius chymosin comprising the polypeptide amino acid         sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein (termed “Camel_chymosin”) or a         variant of Camelius dromedarius chymosin, wherein the variant         comprises a polypeptide sequence which has at least 90%         (preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%) sequence         identity with the camel chymosin polypeptide amino acid sequence         shown in FIG. 5 herein; or     -   has a specific activity of the milk clotting aspartic protease         enzyme higher than 150 IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic         protease enzyme protein, more preferably is the specific         activity milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme higher than 165         IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme protein,         wherein the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is bovine         chymosin comprising the polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in         FIG. 5 herein (termed “Cow_chymosin”) or a variant of bovine         chymosin, wherein the variant comprises a polypeptide sequence         which has at least 90% (preferably at least 95%, more preferably         at least 99%) sequence identity with the bovine chymosin         polypeptide amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 herein.

The aqueous sample consisting of a number of components including the aspartic protease of step (i) may be obtained by recombinant production of the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme in a production host cell (e.g. an eukaryotic production host cell).

As known in the art—before further downstream purification of e.g. the enzyme of interest one normally removes/separates production host cells and other unwanted material in the fermentation media (by e.g. centrifugation and/or filtrating)—i.e. to get a sample comprising the enzyme of interest without too many unwanted components such as e.g. production host cells. As known in the art—this may sometimes be termed a non-purified first filtrate—this term may be used herein and it may be an example of a herein relevant aqueous sample consisting of a number of components including the aspartic protease of step (i).

WO02/36752A2 (Chr. Hansen) describes a recombinant method to produce Camelius dromedarius chymosin (Camel chymosin) using Aspergillus cells (preferably Aspergillus niger) as production host cells.

Accordingly, it may be preferred that the recombinant production host cell is an Aspergillus cell (preferably Aspergillus niger).

Mucorpepsin derived from Rhizomucor miehei may preferably be produced by use of Rhizomucor miehei as production host cell.

It may be preferred that the process of the fifth aspect relates to a process with the proviso that the process is not a process, wherein PEG and inorganic salt are added to the aqueous sample of step (i) so as to form a liquid-liquid (aqueous) two phase system and then recover/isolate the aspartic protease from the PEG phase.

As discussed above—U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,943 describes a method that may be seen as based on use of such a liquid-liquid (aqueous) two phase system.

In a preferred embodiment, the process of the fifth aspect is a process, wherein the isolating step (iii) comprises the following steps:

-   -   (A): applying the polymer containing sample of step (ii) onto a         solid phase comprising a solid base matrix containing ligands         which comprise a hydrophobic part in order to obtain adsorption         of the aspartic protease of interest to the ligand; and     -   (B): eluting the aspartic protease of interest from the solid         phase in order to recover the aspartic protease and thereby         obtaining the purified isolated milk clotting aspartic protease         enzyme of interest.

In a preferred embodiment, the process of the fifth aspect is a process, wherein the steps (i) to (iii) of first aspect comprise:

-   -   (i): the aqueous sample consisting of a number of components         including the aspartic protease of step (i) of the fifth aspect         is applied onto a solid phase comprising a solid base matrix         containing ligands which comprise a hydrophobic part in order to         obtain adsorption of the aspartic protease of interest to the         ligand;     -   (ii): the addition of the polymer in step (ii) of the fifth         aspect is addition to the elution buffer; and     -   (iii): the isolating step (iii) of fifth aspect comprises         eluting the aspartic protease of interest from the solid phase         in order to recover the aspartic protease and thereby obtaining         the purified isolated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme of         interest.

The two preferred embodiments immediately above—may be seen as relating to chromatography (e.g. column chromatography) isolation procedures. As such chromatography is well known to the skilled person are it is therefore not necessary to describe chromatography procedures as such in great details herein.

The term “solid base matrix” refers to the solid backbone material which contains reactive functionality permitting covalent attachment of the ligand to said backbone material. This term may herein also be referred to as solid support matrix.

As known in the art—the backbone material may be inorganic such as e. g. silica, or organic. Organic backbone materials which are useful herein include as examples cellulose and derivatives hereof, agarose, dextran, polymers such as e. g. polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyacrylamide, polymethacrylate, copolymers.

As known in the art—an example of a solid base matrix may be a so-called resin—as known in the art this term may be used in relation to ion-exchange chromatography (IEC).

As known in the art—the solid base matrix may preferably be particles—for instance solid base matrix may comprises particles with a particle size of less than 750 μm or particles with a particle size of less 100 μm.

Reactive functionalities of the solid support matrix permitting covalent attachment of the ligand group are well known in the art and include e. g. hydroxyl, carboxyl, thiol and amino.

As used herein, the term “ligand” refers to a hydrophobic part (alternatively termed group) and a spacer arm for covalently attaching the ligand to the solid base matrix. The spacer arm can be any group or substituent which is capable of covalently attaching the selected group/part to the solid base matrix. Such spacer arms are well known in the art and include e.g. alkylene groups, aromatic groups, alkylaromatic groups, amido groups, amino groups, urea groups, carbamate groups.

The aqueous load medium comprising enzyme of interest is contacted with the ligands as described herein under conditions permitting the enzyme of interest to bind/adsorb to the ligands. The skilled person knows how to adjust the conditions (e.g. adjust the pH such as in the range of 3-10 including the range of 4-8 and/or adjust the flow rate) in order to obtain proper adsorption of an enzyme of interest to a ligand of interest.

As such this step is a routine step for the skilled person to perform and the skilled person knows a number of different herein relevant ligands (see e.g. the review article: Yang et al, Journal of Chromatography A, 1218 (2011) 8813-8825).

The skilled person knows a number of herein relevant purification/separation techniques, wherein one applies a herein relevant medium comprising enzyme of interest onto a solid phase comprising a solid base matrix containing herein relevant ligands to obtain adsorption of the enzyme of interest to the ligand—for instance, by use of at least one purification technique selected from the group consisting of: chromatography, column chromatography, bed adsorption, expanded bed adsorption (EBA), batch adsorption, membrane adsorption and ion-exchange chromatography (IEC).

It may herein be preferred by use of expanded bed adsorption (EBA) purification technique.

All these purification techniques are very well known to the skilled person—accordingly it is routine work for the skilled person to properly bind an enzyme of interest to a specific suitable used ligand and properly perform eluting step to thereby obtain purified/isolated enzyme of interest.

Said in other words—it is routine work for the skilled person to identify suitable solvent, buffers etc. in order to get proper adsorption of the enzyme of interest to the ligand in and proper eluting the enzyme of interest to thereby obtain purified/isolated enzyme of interest.

Accordingly, it is not believed necessary to describe these steps in many details herein.

As known in the art—the term “chromatography” relates to a physical method of separation in which the components to be separated are distributed between two phases, one of which is termed stationary (stationary phase) while the other (the mobile phase) moves in a definite direction.

As known in the art—the term “column chromatography” relates to a separation technique in which the stationary bed is within a tube.

As known in the art—the term “expanded bed adsorption (EBA)” relates to a preparative chromatographic technique which makes processing of viscous and particulate liquids possible.

The protein binding principles in EBA are the same as in classical column chromatography and the common ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction and affinity chromatography ligands can be used. Where classical column chromatography uses a solid phase made by a packed bed, EBA uses particles in a fluidized state. The EBA resin contains particles of varying size and density which results in a gradient of particle size when expanded and when the bed is in its expanded state, local loops are formed. Particles such as whole cells or cell debris, which may clog a packed bed column, readily pass through a fluidized bed. EBA can therefore be used on crude culture broths or slurries of broken cells, thereby bypassing initial clearing steps such as centrifugation and filtration, which is may be required when packed beds are used.

The terms “bed adsorption”, “batch adsorption” and “membrane adsorption” are all well-known and clear to the skilled person in the present context.

As known in the art—a hydrophobic part of a ligand may e.g. be an aliphatic group or an aromatic group.

Aliphatic group may e.g. be an alkyl group with different lengths e.g. a C₂ to C₄₀ alkyl group or a C₄ to C₃₀ alkyl group;

an alkenyl group with different lengths e.g. a C₂ to C₄₀ alkenyl group or a C₄ to C₃₀ alkenyl group or e.g.

an alkynyl group with different lengths e.g. a C₂ to C₄₀ alkynyl group or a C₄ to C₄₀ alkynyl group.

Aromatic group may e.g. be a phenyl group or a benzyl group.

In a preferred embodiment the hydrophobic part of the ligand is a benzyl group.

In a preferred embodiment herein—the ligands also comprise a positively charged part—i.e. the ligands comprise a hydrophobic part and a positively charged part.

As known in the art—a positively charged part of a ligand may e.g. be an amino group or e.g. a quaternary ammonium group.

Preferably—the hydrophobic part is a benzyl group and the positively charged part is an amino group—i.e. the ligand is benzylamine.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Determination of Specific Milk-Clotting Activity

4.1 Determination of Clotting Activity

Milk clotting activity was determined using the REMCAT method, which is the standard method developed by the International Dairy Federation (IDF method)

Milk clotting activity is determined from the time needed for a visible flocculation of a standard milk substrate prepared from a low-heat, low fat milk powder with a calcium chloride solution of 0.5 g per liter (pH 6.5). The clotting time of a milk-clotting enzyme sample is compared to that of a reference standard having known milk-clotting activity and having the same enzyme composition by IDF Standard 110B as the sample. Samples and reference standards were measured under identical chemical and physical conditions. Variant samples were adjusted to approximately 3 IMCU/ml using an 84 mM acetic acid pH 5.5 buffer. Hereafter, 200 μl enzyme was added to 10 ml preheated milk (32° C.) in a glass test tube placed in a water bath, capable of maintaining a constant temperature of 32° C.±1° C. under constant stirring.

The total milk-clotting activity (strength) of a milk-clotting enzyme is calculated in International Milk-Clotting Units (IMCU) per ml relative to a standard having the same enzyme composition as the sample according to the formula:

${{Strength}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{IMCU}\text{/}{ml}} = \frac{{Sstandard} \times {Tstandard} \times {Dsample}}{{Dstandard} \times {Tsample}}$

Sstandard: The milk-clotting activity of the international reference standard for rennet. Tstandard: Clotting time in seconds obtained for the standard dilution. Dsample: Dilution factor for the sample Dstandard: Dilution factor for the standard Tsample: Clotting time in seconds obtained for the diluted rennet sample from addition of enzyme to time of flocculation 4.2 Determination of Total Protein Content

Total protein content was determined using the Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit from Thermo Scientific following the instructions of the providers.

4.3 Calculation of Specific Clotting Activity

Specific clotting activity (IMCU/mg total protein) was determined by dividing the clotting activity (IMCU/ml) by the total protein content (mg total protein per ml).

Example 2: Adding PEG or Brij-35 to Elution Buffer

Bovine chymosin or camel chymosin were recombinantly expressed in Aspergillus niger (roughly as described in WO02/36752A2).

The enzymes were purified by a solid phase extraction approach employing a benzylamine ligand covalently bound to agarose (similar to benzylamine ligand described in WO01/58924A2).

A 96 well filter plate equipped with a 25 μm PE filter and a well volume of 2 ml was packed with Fastline 1300 from Upfront Chromatography, Denmark.

Wells were packed with resin to give a bed height of 6-8 mm in all wells. The resin in all wells was equilibrated with 5 ml of 20 mM sodium malonate pH 5.7.

Supernatant from cultivations was adjusted to pH 5.7 by mixing 3 ml supernatant with 0.5 ml 2 M sodium malonate pH 5.7. The 3.5 ml sample was then filtered through a 8 μm filter to remove particles and loaded to 96 individual wells of the plate. After loading the resin was washed with 5 ml of 20 mM malonate, 500 mM NaCl buffer pH 5.7 and allowed to run almost dry. The resin was eluted with 500 μl aliquots of 20 mM malonic acid pH 2.5, 100 mM NaCl, 5% glycerol and collected in vials.

In some experiments PEG-8000 or Brij-35 was added to the elution buffer to a final concentration of 0.05-0.25 w/w %.

In other experiments PEG-8000 or Brij-35 was added to the sample before the enzymes were bound to the resin to a final concentration of 0.05-0.25 w/w %.

In control experiments PEG-8000 or Brij-35 were not added.

Immediately after collection, 1.5 M di-sodium malonate was added to the eluate to adjust pH to 5.4-5.8.

Samples were analyzed for protein concentration and milk clotting activity within 1 day after isolation.

Protein concentration in collected fractions was analyzed using Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit from Thermo Scientific.

Results:

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show the results of addition of 0.1% PEG8000 or Brij35 to the elution buffer as compared to control experiments without addition of PEG8000 or Brij35.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B—samples containing PEG8000 or Brij35 had two-fold increased specific activity over control sample purified without addition of PEG/Brij35.

Similar positive results were obtained in experiments were PEG-8000 or Brij-35 was added to the sample before the enzymes were bound to the resin.

Similar to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B positive results were obtained by adding 0.05 w/w % PEG-8000 or Brij-35 or by adding 0.25 w/w % PEG-8000 or Brij-35.

Conclusions:

The results demonstrated that samples purified with addition of PEG8000 or Brij35 had two-fold increased specific activity over control sample purified without addition of PEG/Brij35.

It is believed that the eluate/samples contain PEG8000/Brij35.

Example 3: Adding PEG to Formulation (after Purification)

Liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition comprising milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of around 1100 IMCU/g were obtained.

Compositions were obtained for bovine chymosin, camel chymosin and mucor pepsin (i.e. 3 different compositions).

To each of the compositions were added PEG8000 to a content of 0.015% w/w (150 ppm w/w).

Control compositions were without addition of PEG8000.

The compositions were stored at 5° C. and 37° C. for 6 months and analyzed for milk clotting activity at regular intervals.

Results have demonstrated addition of PEG increased the longer term storage stability after 6 months storage of the tested liquid milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme compositions—i.e. these compositions had a higher IMCU/g activity.

Example 4: Adding PEG or Polysorbate 20 to Formulation (after Purification)

Liquid formulations of industrial enzymes are subjected to physical forces from unit operations such as pumping, stirring and filtration over membranes. During transportation of partly filled contained sloshing around of liquid formulation may also contribute to this. Shear stress and increased exposure of enzyme to the water-air interface may induce denaturation and concomitant loss of enzyme activity.

Physical stability of an enzyme or protein sample can be tested by repeatable shaking a sample in a test tube having high head space to sample volume ratio. The stability of different aspartic proteases towards shaking was investigated by inverting a 2 ml sample filled in a 10 ml tube in a rotary device for 1 hour. For each solution relative milk clotting activity was measured after 1 hour of vertical inversion and compared to a non-inverted control having the exact same composition. Results were expressed as “retained activity” which is obtained by diving activity of inverted sample with the activity of the non-inverted control sample.

Results:

PEG8000 added at a concentration of 0.015% (150 ppm) was found to have a remarkably protecting effect against shaking of all the tested aspartic proteases (Table x). The protecting effect of PEG800 was most profound for bovine chymosin and for camel chymosin were the loss in activity without PEG8000 added were 11% and 35%, respectively. When PEG8000 was added to samples of bovine chymosin and camel chymosin there was no loss in activity upon shaking of the samples. In samples of camel chymosin without PEG, a white precipitate was observed after shaking. There was no precipitate in samples of camel chymosin added PEG after shaking. This suggests that the loss in activity was due to protein aggregation upon denaturation and not surface adsorption of the enzyme to test tube surface. For mucor pepsin there was a minor protecting effect of PEG8000 on the physical stability.

The impact of PEG8000 on the stability of camel chymosin towards shaking was compared with the surfactants soya lecithin, polysorbate 20 and glycerol monostearate. From Table y it can be seen that the effect of polysorbate 20 was similar to the effect of PEG8000. The retained activity in samples of camel chymosin added either soy lecithin or glycerol monostearate was similar to the untreated control sample (no addition). This suggest that the stabilizing effect against shaking seen in this example is not due prevention of surface adsorption by surfactants, but a feature linked to the polyoxyethylene structural element contained in PEG8000 and Polysorbate 20.

TABLE x Retained activity of samples of aspartic proteases subjected to shaking Addition of Enzyme 0.015% PEG800 Retained activity Bovine chymosin (CHY-MAX) − 89% + 101%  Camel chymosin (CHY-MAX M) − 65% + 100%  Mucor pepsin XL (Hannilase XP) − 96% + 98% Mucor pepsin L (Hannilase L) − 97% + 102% 

TABLE y Retained activity of camel chymosin samples subjected to shaking Compound Retained activity No addition 76 (7) % PEG (0.015%) 98 (1) % Soya lecithin (0.015%) 73 (0) % Soya lecithin (0.075%) 69 (2) % Polysorbate 20 (0.015%) 100 (0) %  Polysorbate 20 (0.075%) 100 (1) %  Glycerol monostearate (0.015%) 75 (3) % Glycerol monostearate (0.075%) 71 (3) % Conclusions:

The results demonstrate that PEG8000 has stabilizing effect on aspartic proteases against physical forces resulting from shaking a liquid sample. Furthermore, it is shown that other compounds containing a polyoxyethylene structural element, such as polysorbate 20, have similar stabilizing effects.

REFERENCES

-   1: EP2333056A1 (DSM, date of fling Dec. 4, 2007) -   2: WO2012/127005A1 (DSM) -   3: U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,943 (Genencor, published Aug. 18, 1992) -   4: U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,705B2 (Fujifilm, published Aug. 16, 2011) -   5: US2011/0008846A1 (Qiagen) 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dried granulated milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition comprising: (i) a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of from 25 International Milk-Clotting Units (IMCU)/g of the composition to 30000 IMCU/g of the composition, as determined by a relative milk-clotting activity test (REMCAT) using the milk-clotting activity of the international reference standard for rennet as a reference standard; (ii) a polymer at a concentration of from 1 ppm to 5000 ppm (w/w), and (iii) a salt; wherein the polymer has the following characteristics (a), (b) and (c): (a) the polymer is a polymer of at least one monomer selected from ethylene oxide, vinylpolypyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, acrylate and methacrylate; (b) the polymer has a molecular mass of from 200 g/mol to 50000 g/mol; and (c) the polymer has a number of monomers (“n number”) of from n=5 to n=1250; and wherein a suspension of the dried granulated composition in water has a pH of from 2 to
 8. 2. The milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polysorbate, and Brij
 35. 3. The milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from polyethylene glycol (PEG) having a molecular mass from 5000 g/mol to 15000 g/mol, polysorbate 20, and Brij35.
 4. The milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a substituted polymer comprising one or more substituent compound(s) different from the monomers of characteristic (a) and the molecular mass of the substituted polymer is within the range of characteristic (b) and the molecular mass of the substituent compound(s) is less than the molecular mass of the polymer part of the substituted polymer.
 5. The milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition according to claim 1, wherein: the composition comprises the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme at a strength of from 100 IMCU/g of the composition to 10000 IMCU/g of the composition; the composition comprises the polymer at a concentration of from 100 ppm to 3000 ppm (w/w); the salt is selected from NaCl, KCl, Na₂SO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄, K₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄, Na₂HPO₄, NaH₂PO₄, and combinations thereof; the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is selected from: Camelius dromedarius chymosin comprising the Camel chymosin amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NO:5) or a variant thereof, wherein the variant comprises an amino acid sequence which has at least 90% sequence identity with the Camel_chymosin amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NO:5), wherein the specific activity of the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is higher than 300 IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme protein, and bovine pepsin comprising the Cow pepsin amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NO:7) or a variant thereof, wherein the variant comprises an amino acid sequence which has at least 90% sequence identity with the Cow pepsin amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NO:7), wherein the specific activity of the milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme is higher than 150 IMCU/mg total milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme protein; and the dried granulated composition has a total weight of from 0.5 g to 50 kg.
 6. A method for storing a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme, comprising storing a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of claim 1 for a period from 90 days to 2000 days at a temperature from −10° C. to 50° C.
 7. A method for making a milk-based food or feed product comprising adding an effective amount of a milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition of claim 1 to milk and carrying out further manufacturing steps to obtain the milk-based food or feed product, wherein the milk is selected from sheep milk, goat milk, buffalo milk, yak milk, lama milk, camel milk and cow milk; and wherein the milk-based product is selected from a fermented milk product, a quark and a cheese.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, prior to said adding, storing said milk clotting aspartic protease enzyme composition for a period from 90 days to 2000 days at a temperature from −10° C. to 50° C. 